CHAPTER III 
ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND DEPLETED SPECIES 
The Commission reviews the status of marine mammal 
populations and makes recommendations for appropriate actions 
and designations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and 
the Endangered Species Act. 
In 1980, the Commission devoted particular attention to 
the West Indian manatee, Hawaiian monk seal, California sea 
otter, the bowhead whale, the gray whale, and the humpback 
whale. 
West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) 
Along with the Hawaiian monk seal, the right whale, and 
the bowhead whale, the West Indian manatee is among the most 
endangered marine mammals inhabiting coastal waters of the 
United States. The population in Florida is thought to be 
about 1,000 and may be declining. Observed mortality was 99 
animals in) 1977) 79° animals®in“1978,°73 animals in 1979, and 
63 animals in 1980. Observed mortality is certainly but a 
portion of the total actual mortality, and the apparent 
decline in mortality may in fact result as much from there 
now being fewer manatees to kill as from improved protective 
and enforcement measures. There is little question that if 
the population numbers only 1,000 animals and the present 
levels of mortality continue, the Florida manatee population 
will soon become extinct. 
Examples of human-related factors lessening the species' 
chance for survival in the Southeastern United States include: 
accidental death or serious injury resulting from collisions 
with hulls or propellers of boats and barges; entrapment in 
water level control gates and navigation locks; entanglement 
in fishing gear; poaching; vandalism; and loss of habitat 
due to coastal development. 
Whereas previous Annual Reports have catalogued a 
continuing and distressingly low level of activity with 
respect to efforts to protect and encourage the recovery of 
this species, the Commission is pleased to report that 1980 
appears to have been a year of progress. The Fish and 
Wildlife Service intensified its efforts significantly, and 
cooperative work among the State of Florida, the Federal 
Government, and private organizations increased markedly. 
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